Few players enjoyed as meteoric a rise as Emmanuel Fernandez last season.
Signed from Peterborough United in the summer, it took the defender until November to register just a second Scottish Premiership start and his opportunities until that point were few and far between.
But after being introduced to the side for the victory over Livingston at Ibrox in November, where he netted the opening goal from a corner, the defender, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, has never looked back.
Such was his level of performance at the heart of the Gers defence that international recognition followed later in his debut season.
Born in London but eligible to represent Nigeria, he made an immediate impression with the Super Eagles during the set of international fixtures in March.
Ayomide Oguntimehin is the Chief Editor of Soccernet.ng and has followed Fernandez closely since his introduction to the national team earlier this year.
Speaking to the official Rangers website, he said of the dynamics which led to the defender’s maiden call-up: “For many Nigerians, there are a lot of players being scouted and a lot of players who come and go [in the national team].
“What stood out was that William Troost-Ekong retired very close to that period and people were looking at who was going to replace that legendary defender.
“For Emmanuel Fernandez to pop up at that moment was a sign of relief. Rangers are a very big club, and Emmanuel had the mentality, the defensive ability and physicality.
“This is someone who has the experience and professionalism. For him to come in against Jordan, scoring a goal from a pass, was a sign of relief for the fans and a moment where people realised he would spend a long time in the squad, looking at his age and the competitions to come.”
Nigeria are a fiercely proud national team and the badge, much like Rangers, carries significant weight.
Upon his selection in March this year, Fernandez was walking into a settled dressing room, although it was certainly one which was still reeling from its failure to qualify for a second successive FIFA World Cup.
“It says something that he was so honoured to get called up to the national team,” Oguntimehin continued. “I’ve spoken to a lot of players, and they see representing national team as a spectacular thing.
“It’s a good impression for everyone to see how much Fernandez wants to fight for the shirt and wear the badge with pride.”
Fernandez made his Super Eagles debut in a 2-1 win over Iran in March, springing from the substitutes' bench at half-time to replace Hull City defender Semi Ajayi.
It was undoubtedly a proud moment for the 25-year-old and his family, but it got even better just days later when he was handed his first start in Nigeria colours and etched his name onto the scoresheet.
Having made a name for himself from set-piece situations at Ibrox, the defender popped up at exactly the right time at the far post just before the interval to slot a cool left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Oguntimehin says he had been monitoring the defender’s knack for goals at club level and was delighted to see such a trait translate onto the international stage.
He said: “It didn’t come as a surprise. He got a couple of goals for Rangers last season, and it was a great achievement for him to score on his first start for Nigeria.
“It’s actually a rare thing to do as a defender, and it was great for the team and the fans.”
A commanding display in defence, and a first goal to boot, immediately endeared Fernandez to the expectant Nigeria faithful.
His presence immediately bolstered a strong defensive unit which includes former Rangers man Calvin Bassey.
At just 25, the defender has plenty of runway ahead of him in his career, both at club and international level, and a long and illustrious career with the Super Eagles is hopefully in store for Fernandez.
“He’s someone who is adding qualities to the defensive department of Nigeria,” Oguntimehin continued. “He’s someone who is going to spend a very long time with the team.
“Éric Chelle [the Super Eagles manager] is going to spend a lot of time with the team, leading this particular squad to the African Cup of Nations - and hopefully winning it – and the 2030 World Cup.
“I feel he’s someone who will sit well with the manager and a great tool to mix up with Calvin Bassey, Igoh Ogbu and Semi Ajayi.
“He has great qualities and someone who we may not be able to do without in the future.”
On the club front, the ambitions of Fernandez are crystal clear: win trophies with Rangers.
But what are the objectives with the national team?
Nigeria were conspicuous by their absence at this year’s FIFA World Cup, as they were in Qatar in 2022, and a fanbase which demands the best are also hungry to end their African Cup of Nations drought, stretching back to 2013.
Oguntimehin is in no doubt that Fernandez is going to play a key part in that.
He added: “They want to win the African Cup of Nations. It’s been a long time since 2013.
“They have been trying, winning Bronze this year and finishing runners-up in 2023. They’re angry about missing out on this World Cup, so they want to see players at the top level like Morocco and Senegal.
“It all starts with the African Cup of Nations qualification, and then the competition begins around this time next year.
“I believe the inclusion of Fernandez is one of the things to watch and something to be excited about.”
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